MORE INFO - Click HERE

What is the app challenge?

The app challenge, part of Verizon Innovative Learning, is a nationwide contest in which middle and high school students are challenged to develop concepts for mobile apps that solve a problem in their community. It’s a unique, hands-on activity that teaches collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and entrepreneurship, as well as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills and coding. It builds on students’ excitement about technology and aims to equip them with skills they need to succeed in the jobs of the future.

What are the important dates?

• Registration for the app challenge opens August 1, 2016.
• The submission deadline is November 18, 2016.
• Best in State winners will be announced January 9, 2017.
• Best in Region winners will be announced January 17, 2017.
• Voting for the Fan Favorite award will take place January 16 through February 14, 2017 (all BIS winners are eligible for Fan Favorite).
• Best in Nation and Fan Favorite winners will be announced February 15, 2017.

Who can enter?

Teams of students affiliated with schools and nonprofit groups/clubs can enter the contest, along with an adult advisor.

The students must be in grades 6 through 12, and the teams must have five to seven members plus their advisor. Teams can register with their school (public, private, or parochial) or any nonprofit group or club that is tax-exempt under section501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. They must be located in the United States. Here are more details about who can participate. 

More info - click HERE

AUTISM-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

SEPT 3, 2016 AT 3:00PM

GENERAL INFO  |  TICKETS  |  PRE-SHOW RESOURCES  |  FAQS

EVERYONE SHOULD GET THE CHANCE TO ENJOY LIVE THEATRE.

On Saturday, September 3, 2016, Bye Bye Birdie will be performed with a special audience in mind—people with sensory processing issues. This family-friendly performance is designed and intended for those who are on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory issues. At this performance, the theatre environment will be altered, providing a safe, friendly, comfortable and judgment-free zone that is welcoming for all. This performance is recommended for those families and caregivers who are familiar with and accepting of behaviors exhibited by some individuals with autism—and would like to bring a loved one to the theatre.

For questions regarding this special performance, contact Kate Micari: 860.873.8664 x316 or kmicari@goodspeed.org

WHAT IS BYE BYE BIRDIE ABOUT?

Army-bound rock star Conrad Birdie is the talk of the town in Sweet Apple, Ohio, where he is scheduled to give his farewell performance before he goes off to boot camp. But his appearance in Sweet Apple has created a teen-age crisis for new “steadies” Hugo and Kim. Kim just won the chance to give Birdie one last kiss before he goes. Kids, parents, and show folk collide in the Goodspeed debut of this hip-swiveling musical comedy set in the dawn of the sensational 60s. READ THE FULL SYNOPSIS

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT A SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE:

• Pre-show resources such as a character guide, plot synopsis, photos and video from the Goodspeed production, FAQs, and a “coming to the theatre” video
• Modifications to sound and lighting levels
• Accepting and inclusive environment
• Chill-out area for people who need a break

TICKETS

• All tickets for this special performance are $12.
• To reserve your tickets, please call Kate Micari at 860.873.8664 x316.

World Humanitarian Day 19 August 2016

"World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate the suffering. It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the frontlines of crises. I pay tribute to these dedicated women and men who brave danger to help others at far greater risk." — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

2016 Theme: One Humanity

Every day, humanitarian aid workers stand on the front lines of war and disaster, braving tremendous dangers and difficulties to deliver assistance to those who need it most. World Humanitarian Day (WHD), which takes place every year on 19 August, recognizes the aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and mobilizes people to advocate for humanitarian action. The day was designated by the General Assembly seven years ago to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.

This World Humanitarian Day, the UN and its partners are calling for global solidarity with the more than 130 million people around the world who need humanitarian assistance to survive. Under the theme of ‘One Humanity’, World Humanitarian Day will highlight how the world came together in Istanbul for the World Humanitarian Summit earlier this year, and made commitments to support people affected by crisis and ensure that aid workers can safely and more effectively deliver to those in need.

Events will be held around the world on 19 August to honor the work of humanitarian workers and to celebrate the theme of ‘One Humanity’. In New York, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the United Nations headquarters, and a high-level event will be held in the General Assembly Hall. In addition a digital campaign will be launched on the day to raise awareness of the impossible choices that people caught in crisis face. World Humanitarian Day will also feature photo exhibitions and film screenings documenting the lives of those affected by conflict and disaster.

For more information, please visit: www.unocha.org/whd2016.

Welcome to our second Week of Inspirational Math(s)! My name is Jo Boaler, cofounder of youcubed and professor of mathematics education at Stanford. I am also the author of Mathematical Mindsets. Last year we launched our first WiM, which was downloaded 1/3 of a million times and used in every state across the US, as well as many other countries in the world. Teachers and students loved the activities and mindset videos. Of the teachers and students surveyed last year, 98 percent of the teachers said their students were engaged when working on the lessons and 96% of the students surveyed said they now believe they should keep going even when work is hard and they make mistakes. And that is a wonderful thing!
Check out the site HERE.

Airing Tonight on PBS NewsHour: Walking in a Student's 

Shoes (An Education Week Report)

If you're like most principals, about 70 percent of your time is spent on the 3 B's-buses, budgets, and behavior. What if, instead, you spent a day walking in your students' shoes? How might that experience change the way you look at school?

This spring, more than 1,400 school leaders from all 50 states and over 26 countries set out to answer that question in the first Shadow a Student Challenge. The idea comes from a partnership between the Institute of Design at Stanford University and IDEO, a leading design firm that also works with schools.

Among those who accepted the challenge was Assistant Principal Karen Ritter of East Leyden High, outside Chicago. Watch her put aside her walkie-talkie and follow one 9th grader through all of his classes-not to mention gym, the lunch line, and a full slate of homework.

What did she learn? John Tulenko of Education Week has that story tonight on the PBSNewsHour.

LEARN MORE TONIGHT ON PBS NEWSHOUR.

CheckLocal Listings

Read this recentEducation Weekstory on the Shadow a Student project and catch up on related coverage on the Rulesfor Engagement blog.

Einstein Came to READ!

On #ReadWhereYouAre day, Friday, August 5th,  Einstein, a Fidelco puppy in training, stopped by the Library to read! 

We do like his book choice!

This Friday is ReadWhere You Are day -- our annual call to action that encourages everyone to read more outside of school. Participating is easy! All you need to do is snap a picture of yourself at your favorite reading spot and use the hashtag #ReadWhereYouAre. 

Webinar

Overview

Title: Students with Disabilities: What Do I Do?

Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Duration: 1 hour

REGISTER

Students with Disabilities: What Do I Do?

Teachers are seeing more and more students with disabilities in their classes all the time. The laws and expectations of how school districts are to educate these students is complex and complicated. General education teachers need to understand the basics of special education and their critical role in the process. The problem is general classroom teachers often do not have the training to understand all that is required when educating students who have disabilities.

The laws that most significantly impact students' with disabilities educational program are the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws are interpreted based on the individual needs of the student and can be difficult to implement. Join David F. Bateman and Jenifer L. Cline, authors of the new ASCD book A Teacher’s Guide to Special Education, in an engaging webinar where teachers will gain a basic overview of the expectations and intent of the law, an understanding of their role in the process, and some tools to help them be strong members of a student’s special education or 504 team.

Speakers

David F. Bateman
Professor
Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

David F. Bateman is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches courses about learning disabilities, special education, and special education law to future teachers and administrators. Bateman has been a classroom teacher of students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, intellectual disabilities, and hearing impairments.

Jenifer L. Cline
Special education administrator
Great Falls Public Schools

Jenifer L. Cline is a special education administrator in Great Falls Public Schools in Great Falls, Montana. She has practiced speech pathology in a variety of schools and has worked as a special education administrator for the last 10 years as both the special education director of a special education cooperative and as a district-level special education administrator.

Report - Skills for a changing world

Check out this report from Brookings -

by Rebecca Winthrop and Eileen McGivney

Explore the full paper »

About Skills for a Changing World

Skills for a Changing World is a project of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings and the LEGO Foundation that seeks to ensure all children have high-quality learning opportunities that build the breadth of skills needed to create a productive, healthy society in the face of changing social, technological, and economic demands.

Just some info to remind you --- it is August 1st!

Art Activities

Emphasize the importance of art education with our activities! And they aren't just for art class; students will benefit from exploring their creative sides in science, math, social studies, and reading classes.

Art Resources

Teaching with Comics Comics make great teaching tools! The stories combined with illustrations and text will help you engage students in reading. This collection of resources includes activities for writing and illustrating comics, teaching guides for online comics, and more. Teaching with Comics Classroom Organization Ready to get your classroom ready for back to school? Get yourself, your classroom, and your paperwork organized with our checklists, charts, forms, and time management tips. Organization Resources